Tuesday September 19, 2006

Final FSU Notes

Final FSU Notes
*In one of my blogs last week, I suggested that Clemson might be the more talented team in Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday night. Well, after watching the contest, now I know. Before the last drive, I told my son that had the game gone into overtime it would have been fine with me because the Tigers were the better team. I reiterated that point to him many times throughout the game. Quite frankly, Clemson was the better team and better coached and prepared team Saturday.

*After seeing the game, I am convinced that if FSU wanted to play again this week that would be fine with me. Anytime. Anywhere. If FSU wanted to play this Thursday night in the parking lot of Doak Campbell Stadium that would be fine with the Tigers. Clemson has won three of four from FSU and when looking at the rosters and venues for next season, I think Tigers will defeat the Noles again next season.

*In the pre-season, we did all of rankings for the ACC and some readers thought we were overrating the talent level at Clemson. I thought the Tigers were better than FSU at RB, WR, OL and DL. I did not know until the last two weeks that Clemson actually has better quarterback play. I had a Gamecock fan e-mail and rip the suggestion that Clemson had better wide receivers than Florida State. After watching their wide outs drop balls and not make plays, I believe he will not be sending a follow-up e-mail. On FSU’s board this week, their fans have pointed out how much better blockers the Clemson wide outs were.

*Give Will Proctor credit for two great performances so far this season. I thought he played fantastic Saturday night. You can tell that Proctor worked hard in the off-season in the film room. The senior understands this scheme and knows his pre-snap reads and his progressions. Proctor has a grasp of what Spence wants to accomplish during the game and executes the game plan extremely well. The surprising part of Proctor’s play so far is the vertical passing game. The Tigers have been able to get the ball downfield and make big plays out of the vertical passing game.

*The Tigers had three 80-plus yard drives in the game against what some call one of the best defenses in the country.

*James Davis is a special talent. I love the way he is patient when he needs to be and cuts and accelerates off of the cut. Davis always holds onto the football and gets the extra yards. FSU is a tough rushing defense but Davis can be depended on.

*C.J. Spiller is about to have a breakout game. He will have a chance to be among the top two or three in all-purpose yards in the ACC this season. Spiller is getting more comfortable and will be a big threat in the running game, passing game and return game very soon.

*I thought the offensive line had its share of good and bad on Saturday night but Roman Fry played one of his best games of his career with a physical effort and very few missed assignments according to the staff.

*Sometimes people have asked me why Clemson is looking to have so many tight ends on scholarship. I need to have those doubters watch the final touchdown when Alex Pearson and Thomas Hunter give great efforts to give Davis his small crease for the winning score.

*I love the versatility of Dabo Swinney’s wide receiver corps. Against the Seminoles, Stuckey, Taylor, Kelly and Grisham all made big plays in different ways. Last season, Clemson hurt FSU in the wide receiver screen game but FSU adjusted this season and shut the Tigers down in that department. The Tigers wide outs showed their versatility in hurting the Seminoles in the intermediate and vertical passing game. It was clear to me that the Tigers wide outs were also better coached than FSUs.

*Speaking of out coaching, Clemson out schemed FSU. I still have no idea what the Noles’ offensive game plan was. Clemson, however, was aggressive in their offensive plan and kept the pressure on the highly touted defense of FSU. Also give the Tiger defensive staff credit for hiding youth and inexperience.

*I thought another of the keys to the game was Clemson’s pressure with three and four-man fronts. Gaines Adams, Phillip Merling and Rashaad Jackson hammered away at Weatherford. Meanwhile, FSU had zero sacks on Proctor.

*Duane Coleman deserves a game ball for his effort. Coleman is a physical tackler and has played extremely well in his transition to the position.

*I look for Crezdon Butler’s role to increase. This is another physical corner with special skills.

*For the second straight game, I want to give Cole Chason and the entire punt team recognition. The snaps, protection, punts and coverage were solid.

*The Tigers seemed to have fixed their kick off coverage issues. On Saturday night, Clemson allowed less than 15 yards per kick off return.

* I could not attend the game but props to the Tigers fans that did. I was told the loudest part of the night was the thousands of Clemson fans exiting the stadium. Once again, Tiger fans proved to the best in the ACC.

*I want to give Coach Bowden and his staff credit for perhaps its biggest accomplishment Saturday night. This team was coming off of an emotional, double overtime loss and was facing a top-ten opponent in a hostile environment. Bowden and his staff had the Tigers emotionally ready to play and confidant. They prepared a wonder game plan and had the Tigers knowing that they could win in Tallahassee.

Trevor’s Troops
Clemson’s men’s soccer team is undefeated and off to its best start since 1978. The Tigers are ranked second in the country and have played in front of almost 14,000 fans in their last two Friday night games. Please go support Trevor Adair and his Tigers tonight at 7:00 PM at Historic Riggs Field as they face Longwood.

George Coleman Ford
Each Wednesday we are at George Coleman Ford in Traveler’s Rest for a lunch speaking engagement. I think you will enjoy the great food, football and fellowship. Make plans to come by and see us this week.

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